Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with DDD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was rated at 20 percent prior to October 24, 2007 and has been granted a separate rating for diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, thus denying service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful employment prior to September 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU from February 2, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his full service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current status of his facial nerve disability and right knee disability.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected alcoholic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board also found that there was no evidence to support an earlier effective date for TDIU or DEA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum to a VA examination report and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, plantar spurs, and flat feet, were not incurred in or caused by his period of active service, to include a 1981 cold weather injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right elbow and right elbow ulnar neuropathy were denied. The RO found that prior to June 29, 2016, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and from June 29, 2016, it did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. For right elbow ulnar neuropathy, prior to October 1, 2015, the Veteran's condition was rated as mild incomplete paralysis (10%); from October 1, 2015, it was rated as moderate incomplete paralysis (30%).

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is manageable by restricted diet and has not required insulin or regulation of activities. A rating of 10 percent for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is found to be secondary to his service-connected lung cancer and liver cancer.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to include secondary to peripheral neuropathy and herbicide exposure is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection granted for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection granted for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus.,Essential tremors of the hands were not incurred or aggravated in service and are not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot neuropathy, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss as they were withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2017 Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 28, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The criteria for TDIU were met as of November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are evaluated with the most current and relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted, with a rating of 20 percent for each condition effective from April 21, 2015.